Mr. Elroy Begalke, 87, of 1916 N. 21st St. died Friday morning, January 16 at the Sharon S. Richardson Community Hospice. Elroy was born June 26, 1927 in Sheboygan to Roy and Adela (nee Grupe) Begalke. He attended St. Paul's Lutheran School and graduated from Sheboygan North High School. He served in the Navy in Guam and was awarded the Victory Medal and Asiatic Pacific Ribbon. He was honorably discharged August 13, 1946. He married Betty J. Welsch on July 17, 1948. After her passing he married Marion V. Schulz on June 5, 1965. He had a 33 year career at Firestone where he was serving as manager when he retired in 1979. The following year he became a purchasing agent for 10 years at Firstar Bank in Sheboygan until 1990. He was a pillar of St. Paul's Lutheran Church from his youth until his death. He served as congregation secretary, sang tenor in the choir, performed in the Bell Choir, served on the evangelism and elder boards and was active in the XYZ Senior Group and the Dart Ball League. He served on the St. Nicholas Hospital Auxiliary and the Sheboygan Evening Lion's Club. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, traveling and was an avid sports fan. Until surgery robbed him of his beautiful tenor voice in 1969, singing was a major part of his life. As a youth, he had a radio show on WHBL called "The Choir Boy." He sang in numerous Community Players productions and was a soloist at dozens of local area weddings and funerals. In addition to his wife Marion, he is survived by two daughters Nancy (Nick) Seeley, Mazatlan, Mexico; Dawn (Al) Schwark, Greenbush; and a son John (Jo Ellen) Begalke, Hopkins, MN; two grandchildren, Christopher and Stephanie Begalke; a brother, Ron Begalke; and numerous nieces, nephews, and in-laws. Besides his first wife, he was preceded in death by his sister Dolores Messner and other relatives. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 20 at 1:00 p.m. at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church, 1810 N. 13th Street, Sheboygan. Pastor Alan Kretschmar will officiate. Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. Entombment will be in the Garden Terrace Mausoleum. Special thanks to the staff of the Sharon Richardson Community Hospice. Memorials will be given to St. Paul's Lutheran Church.
